Cruising Cuba

[oded kishony]

With all the recent news about Cuba, it led me to wonder; is Cuba a popular cruising destination? What's it like? Are there any special problems going there?

Thanks,
Oded Kishony

[Captain Smollett]

Maybe things have changed in recent years, but it was not too long ago that Americans were "strongly discouraged" from traveling to Cuba.  Being one of the few remaining Communist countries and with Castro and us having a bit of non-friendly history, it has not been a great travel destination for American tourists.

Has that changed now?  I know one COULD go to Cuba, but it was more difficult than going almost anywhere else in the world.

[Adam]

uh oh... here we go!! :)

It's very popular with non-Americans (ie - Canadians).

If it's even possible, it's a major pain in the ass for Americans. Tons of red tape, can't "spend any American dollars" there, etc. Then, when you return (after having managed to somehow get permission to go) you then spend months having to prove that you didn't do anything wrong.

It'll be wonderful when it opens up to us... I'm patiently waiting..

Adam

edited to add:  The red tape and harrassment is all from our government, the Cuban government is glad to have us, and the people (from what I've learned from others) love to meet cruisers.

[Captain Smollett]

The red tape and harrassment is all from our government, the Cuban government is glad to have us, and the people (from what I've learned from others) love to meet cruisers.

Didn't we have some kind of trade embargo at one time?  Has that lifted, or are we still not trading with Cuba.

It seems nuts to be all in a bunch over a country 90 miles from our own.  Not meaning to get all po-litical about this, just saying we both have a bit of a history of being a bit "un-neighborly."

[oded kishony]

I did a quick Google search and got some conflicting stories. What about the physical obstacles to sailing there. I have a Paceship PY 26 with centerboard & 8HP diesel. Is this too much for such a boat for 2 people?

Oded Kishony

[Captain Smollett]

Is this too much for such a boat for 2 people?

Depends on if there are any hurricanes lurking about.   ;)

People sail WWP 19's from Florida to the Bahama's, and I'm thinking about taking my 18 footer to the Dry Tortugas someday.  With the proper weather window and seamanship, I don't see a 90 mile run across the Straights of Florida being much different. 

I'll certainly demur to those on the board with southern Florida and offshore experience.

If you do go, be sure to post about it here!   ;D

[Adam]

That's plenty of boat... all you need to remember, you're crossing the Gulf Stream, so treat it just like you were making the crossing to Bimini (although, you'll want to avoid crossing when there's wind out of the east, rather than from the north, down here the stream flows more NE)...

Lot's of trip reports out there on cruising logs, it shouldn't be too hard to find details.

Adam

[s/v Faith]

Oded,

Looking at the various craft the Cubans have used to cross the 90 or so miles to come to the US (converted pickup trucks, innertubes, etc.) I would say that you Paceship would be more then up to the task.

 Yes, there is a trade embargo with Cuba.  It is something of a political hot potatoe.  The basic idea is that we do not want to support Castro (if even alive) or his government with US dollars.  The ex-pat Cubans in FL want no trade, in hope that the communist gov will fail.  The problem is this runs counter to our current diplomatic approach.  Normalization of trade is a keystone in our policy (as in China).

 Having said that, there are a couple ways to go.  There is Gitmo, where a friend of mine tells me you can call in via radio if you have some kind of 'emergency' (low on water, or loss of propuslion etc.) and they will give you a course to approach their marina for temporary stay to fix the problem.  The problem with this is that Gitmo is on the least convenient approach to the island if you were coming from the US.

 I have also heard that persons with US passports can come and go freely just like our neighbors to the north.  The deal is (as I have heard) that you can simply clear in to Cuba like you were going anywhere else, but ask that your passport not be stamped, but rather a piece of paper be placed in it that will bear your entry stamp, that you can later remove prior to returning to the US.

 I am not advocationg this (nor does this reflect the endorsement of sailfar.net) :) if you got caught, I bet the penalty would be steep.

 Hopefully things will change soon, even though it is Castro's intent they do not, the people are growing wrestless for a more normal relatoinship with us and our dollars.


WOW you guys are fast, there were two replies while I was typing this!

[Adam]

they WILL know you were there, regardless of your passport.  There is NO way around it. Trying to hide it will just put you under much greater scrutiny.

It IS possible to go, it's just a red-tape nightmare...

As to the politics of the embargo, just remember that Miami's Cuban-American population votes for "pro-embargo" politicians, and how Miami goes, so goes the rest of FL (as far as with their electoral college votes)..

So, even though the embargo makes no sense, it's political suicide for a politicial to change the policy.

:D

Adam

[Pixie Dust]

I have 2 friends that went to Cuba via boat right before the halting of all trade.  They went for an Educational Conference, which even then, was a lot of red tape to clear to go.  Clearing guns for them, no problem, clearing educational materials and school supplies they took for the students, unbelievable.  That took days.  Every piece of paper was counted, every paper clip sorted by color and counted and of course it was all confiscated in order for Castro to be the one to deliver.   They came back and both of them stated that after being there, they felt the trade embargo was needed and had changed their political take on it.   People would be arrested and killed for just selling cheese that they had made in order to try and support their families.   They were so saddened by the state of the country.  They said it was the most beautiful countryside and was fortunate enough to actually meet folks.  They said the people were wonderful.  They are currently cruising on a boat called Moon Angel, a trawler they worked several yrs on to get her cruising ready.   They have a 12 yr travel plan, stopping to watch the seasons change and to mingle with the people and interact with them as they travel.   Sounds wonderful, doesn't it?  They are really neat people and I value hearing about their experiences.  I thought their take on Cuba and politics was also interesting.

[AdriftAtSea]

Cuba is still essentially forbidden ground for americans.  If you are caught going to or coming from Cuba, you can get in serious trouble. 

[Captain Smollett]

I think you CAN go to Cuba, right?  I've read stories of people going there (legally), but as Adam said, it's a paperwork nightmare.

See, for example, Travel to Cuba by US Citizens

[oded kishony]

Obviously this particular moment in history is probably the worst possible time for a US citizen to travel to Cuba.
But things could change very rapidly in the near future.
At which time Cuba could become a very attractive destination IMHO.


~~ __/) ~~
Oded Kishony

[Zen]

policy:

http://www.state.gov/p/wha/rls/fs/25155.htm

http://www.state.gov/p/wha/rls/fs/22905.htm

[Adam]

Greater Enforcement of Travel Restrictions

    * Greater enforcement of travel restrictions will make more certain that permitted travel for Americans (like family visits, humanitarian aid, research) is not abused and used as cover for illegal business travel, to skirt restrictions on carrying cash into Cuba, or tourism.
    * Violations of restrictions serve only to funnel funds to the dictator and his repressive regime.
    * Enforcement agencies will increase inspections of travelers and shipments to and from Cuba and target those who illegally travel to Cuba via third countries or on private vessels.

The long "bolded" part of the quote is where we insert or political agenda (ie - solidarity with the Cuban-American South Florida voting block.

Just fabulous... BUT you CAN travel to communist China all you want :D

Hopefully soon, this will all be just an unpleasant memory...

I'm an overnight sail from Havana... I wanna go!!!!!!!!!!

[oded kishony]

I know a dude who travels to Cuba every year (though I haven't heard if he went this year) and repairs instruments. I guess this is considered 'humanitarian'. So if you're REALLY anxious to go then perhaps you can hook up with a humanitarian organization and offer your services as the cap't of a sailing vessel  ;)

[CharlieJ]

You best check with the two people who ran the Race to Havana which was carrying "humanitarioan aid". Last year they had all the permits they thought they needed and still got arrested, and spent god awful sums of money before the courts threw the case out. Seems the Dept of Commerce sorta changed the rules on them.

Yachts are currently being interdicted at sea because they MIGHT be enroute to Cuba.

As was said earlier- Cuba is a destination that might be best forgotten by american boats while the current political environment exists.

[svosprey]

I sailed to Cuba, before the current regime was in power, and had a great time. Watched the Orioles play the Cubans in Pan American stadium

Sailed out of Key West and headed to the Dry Tortugas then crossed.

Entrance to Marina Hemingway is tough to spot and with reefs on both sides I would make sure and arrive with plenty of daylight.

I'll dig out my pix and post a couple later

[svosprey]

Heres a couple

http://static.flickr.com/65/212859934_df016ac5d8.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/61/212860048_8067024d62.jpg

The Coast Guard were the first to arrive, they looked around for a minute and then we all popped a Budweiser!

[Zen]

hermosas   8)